Thanks for the update, very interesting.
I will try to update the map on the Balkan, how ever I think the map quality is not good enough to express the bordrs in detail.
Sorry for the typo, it is Thorbecke. He is a son of German immigrants, raised in Zwolle, (North Netherlands) and studied at the university of Ghent (South Netherlands)until the Belgian revolt broke out. Since this did not ahppen, I think the man is an excelent Prime Minister for a United Nehterlands.
I am aware of the confusion of names in West Africa. You are correct regarding the kingdoms of Benin and Ghana. This actual African Kingoms were no were were the current countries are which bare the same name. The Kingdom of Ghana was more were present day Niger and Upper Volta is. I was refering to OTL Ghana, Togo and Benin. Nice flag, represent quite well were they made there mony from, slave trade and a habit to decapitate opponents.
I know the extreme claim of the UK which is not as large as I pictured in my map. You are correct this would most likely not happen when this issue came to table as it did in OTL. I could not resist to play with the thought that the UK took advantage of the Fedralis war, the civil war of Venezuela, in the 1850ties in a cook book example of devine and conquer were Colombia took a small part in as well. The 1850ties are early enough to ignore the USA.
Regarding OTL Cameroon and Togo, beating Gustav Nachtigal is not in question. Nachtigal, can do his exploration as he did but the coastal area's are occupied by Dutch entrepeneurs and traders for the Netherlands and from Dutch Gold Coast. Gustav might even get in service of a Dutch University or Company?
The teritories in Africa looks large, but at this time only the coastal area's are under direct Dutch rule the interior is hardly explored or 'pacified'. Gold coast is an exeption but that is also due to the part plantations are older, further developed and the Ashanty kingdom is well developed and organised.
I was toiling with the idea to keep the Kingdom of Hanover independent, after staying neutral in the ''Bruder Krieg'' or due to a personel union between the Dutch Monarchy and the Hanover Monarchy. Even if the last option is not any more a garanty for independence in the 19th century